MCN: Tiger 800 mauls BMW F650GS

[Tim Cullis]

Interesting but also a bit annoying road test of the new Tiger 800.

On the positive side, MCN is quite correct to position the standard Tiger 800 against the F650GS, and to position the Tiger 800XC against the F800GS.

As you can tell from the thread title, the outcome of the test is that the Tiger 800 wins. The reasoning isn't very scientific--it's because the exhaust sounds nicer and the engine is more powerful. The fact the F650GS is £499 cheaper seems to have no bearing.

Although I'm on my fourth BMW and second F650GS twin, I'm not blinded by loyalty and I will gladly conceed that the Tiger 800 is possibly the better bike, but not for the reasons identified by MCN who would really have liked the Tiger 800 to have a 17-in front wheel.

BMW made some deliberate product positioning decisions when it came to differentiating the F650/800GS against the R1200GS/GSA, and in differentiating the F6650GS against the F800GS.

Triumph hasn't made the same compromises. For example, the Tiger 800 has the height adjustable twin seats and the adjustable windscreen that the R1200GS has but the F650/800GS don't. Not that the MCN test made much of that.

Another plus point for the Tiger is that the speedo is digital which is a real plus point for me. I spend more time overseas than in the UK and it's a real positive to be able to switch the speedo and odometer to kilometers rather than squint at tiny characters on an analog speedo.

 

[wildbeeste]

I think the word "Maul" was merely because that is what Tigers are supposed to do.
Having ridden both I have ordered an 800XC - though if I was going around the world I would buy a BMW 650GS (either the 800cc twin or the old 650 rotax single) - proven technology and can get spares really quickly via a BMW car dealership.

The Tiger power would probably be too much off road but the engine is fantastic and riding position felt just right after my 1150GS and 1200GS adventure

My only apprehension is Triumph's customer service record and the fact that I feel guilty about not buying a bike from the great BMW dealership of Chandlers that is just a mile up the road from me.

 

[Account removed]

800XC

I too have gone to the dark side. After a test ride of the 800XC I was sold on it.

Have now sold my 2010 ADV

Reasons,

The motor.
Size and weight.
Low down power.
Price.
Power as fast as a 12GS.
and to be honest I want a british bike to work.

Have seen on here today one comment saying that it lacks low down power and you have to keep changing gear and that all the power is at the top of the rev range, what a load of crap.

Maybe in the future I will be on a BMW again, but for now I want a british bike to be on top. That can't be a bad thing if it keeps some of our own in work.

Lets hope it does not bite me.

 

[Sooty09]

I suspect the reason the Tiger is supposed to be so much better than the F650GS is because the test riders are more accustom to the feel of the triple engine, its more like the Jap multis they are used to. Iv just had a ride on the Tiger 800 road version and while its good I still prefer the feel of a twin cylinder engine.

 

[gwigglesworth]

I've not taken the test ride... as I daren't as the English in me might find it too tempting to buy an English bike... but the MCN article put me off.. I want to cover miles in comfort not thrash about.... which they seem to think the Tiger is better at..

 

[muppix]

The actual bikes in question aside, I think you need to take stock of the situation if you actually believe something you read in MCN.

 

[Account removed]

I've not taken the test ride... as I daren't as the English in me might find it too tempting to buy an English bike... but the MCN article put me off.. I want to cover miles in comfort not thrash about.... which they seem to think the Tiger is better at..

The last thing you need to do is thrah the tiger, go and ride one. then come back with your thoughts

 

[Magnet]

Originally posted by MGJ
Have seen on here today one comment saying that it lacks low down power and you have to keep changing gear and that all the power is at the top of the rev range, what a load of crap.

I entirely agree with you. I have ridden the Tiger 800 today - smoother and faster than the 800GS, with the power available low down. Handling felt very similar to the BMW .

I also agree about the 'British Bike' factor - I've always wanted a Triumph, but they never made one before that suited what I wanted.

I'll be testing the XC in a couple of weeks - judging by today's ride it might be a contender when I come to change mine.

Brand loyalty - what's that?

 

[JJH]

Funny how they didnt compare mpg and finish. I had a Triumph and many BMWs some people complain about BMW quality. My experience is that the finish on BMWs is far better than on Triumphs.JJH

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I entirely agree with you. I have ridden the Tiger 800 today - smoother and faster than the 800GS, with the power available low down. Handling felt very similar to the BMW .

I also agree about the 'British Bike' factor - I've always wanted a Triumph, but they never made one before that suited what I wanted.

I'll be testing the XC in a couple of weeks - judging by today's ride it might be a contender when I come to change mine.

Brand loyalty - what's that?

We loved the wheelie too

 

[Engineer]

They compared the BMW entry level bike for beginners with one of their top of the range adventure bikes DOH!!

If they had compared it to their entry level bike for girls i.e. the Bonneville, then the outcome would have been different.

 

[Magnet]

Originally posted by JohnnyBoxer

We loved the wheelie too

Purely accidental, you understand

 

[Magnet]

Originally posted by Magnet

Brand loyalty - what's that?

According to HWMBO, brand loyalty's for mugs...

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

According to HWMBO, brand loyalty's for mugs...

Aye....................but the dealer's good with the brand

 

[wildbeeste]

I suspect the reason the Tiger is supposed to be so much better than the F650GS is because the test riders are more accustom to the feel of the triple engine, its more like the Jap multis they are used to. Iv just had a ride on the Tiger 800 road version and while its good I still prefer the feel of a twin cylinder engine.

I have never had a UJM four
I have always had singles or twins (apart from a Suzi 380GT)
The Triumph triple engine is awesome - the road version was smooth - the XC was slightly rougher and felt and sounded better (possibly less miles on it). I have also gone for the slip on silencer to make it a bit louder as it very quiet
I loved my Dakar and would buy another one tomorrow if it had one of the following - Better brakes - another 10 HP - 30Lbs (at least) less weight.
The XC bullseyes two of those buttons (not the weight).
But in reality buying a bike is about emotion not rationale

 

[nig5]

I think that must have a large part to play when buying a new Bike.
When I went to test ride the new 700 Transalp the staff at the shop did not seem at all interested, when I went and test rode the F800GS the sales man was totally interested, and helpful without being pushy.

Had the same response from Balderstons, had a test ride in the summer and loved th 800 gs but couldn`t afford it at the time but the salesman said keep in touch. Had another test ride in November when my F800s was being serviced and did a deal on the demo bike I had a ride on.

 

[Rob Farmer]

Lets face it it shouldn't be hard to beat the latest offerings from BMW. It's not that the BM's are that great just that everybody else has been producing shite bikes for ages. A big up for Triumph as well (being the local team). I would however take anything those f*ckwits at MCN say with a pinch of salt. Too far up their own arses for their own good

 

[TONY G]

Lets face it it shouldn't be hard to beat the latest offerings from BMW. It's not that the BM's are that great just that everybody else has been producing shite bikes for ages. A big up for Triumph as well (being the local team). I would however take anything those f*ckwits at MCN say with a pinch of salt. Too far up their own arses for their own good

+1

 

[turnipbmw]

I have the strange situation of having 2 Triumph dealers locally

On yer Triumph, Aston Clinton and the new Woburn dealer.

Both always seem very pleasant although the woburn crew were really busy most of last year.

I have an unusual fetish for an R850R at the moment so neither are much use to me

 

[Rasher]

I want to cover miles in comfort not thrash about.... which they seem to think the Tiger is better at..

That is how the UK bike press review every bike, how much power does it show on the dyno, how fast does it go, what is the SS 1/4m time, what lap time does it achieve and how far can it be wheelied.

These f***** idiots rarely go anywhere, when I had my ZZR I used to read reviews and never saw one used for anything other than blasting about. I remember one magazine took one to Germany so they could go flat out on the Autobahn - they took it there in the back of a bloody van!